In response to the Chinese human rights violations in Xinjiang, the United States White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki released a statement on December 6, 2021, that the United States will move forward on their diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Following the lead of the United States, other countries including Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Lithuania, and Belgium, released their diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons stated that the government will join in the diplomatic boycott even though the government has reservations against sporting boycotts, “We do not support sporting boycotts, but there are no plans for ministers to attend the Winter Olympics… there will effectively be a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.” In response to the diplomatic boycotts, Chinese spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave a statement, “The US, Australia, Britain, and Canada’s use of the Olympic platform for political manipulation is unpopular and self-isolating, and they will inevitably pay the price for their wrongdoings.”On the other hand, major countries including Germany, France, Italy, South Korea, and to a certain degree Japan, have decided against joining in the diplomatic boycott led by the United States. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said during his budget meeting, “At the moment, I have no plans to attend,” when asked about his considerations to attend the 2022 Beijing Winter. However, the Japanese government is considering sending officials outside of the government to the Winter Olympics. As a result of countries deciding against joining the diplomatic boycott, there is a division in the international communities, failing to present a united front against the genocide and human rights violations committed by the Chinese Government in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet.
The Liberal Conservative 